EL SEGUNDO, CA — Los Angeles Kings head coach Darryl Sutter talked about the injury status of forwards Jeff Carter and Kyle Clifford, along with his thoughts on the recent play of winger Matt Frattin during his post-practice chat with the local media on November 22.

Sutter also talked about the play of young forwards Tanner Pearson, Tyler Toffoli and Linden Vey.

LOS ANGELES AND EL SEGUNDO, CA — Over the years, most hockey fans have probably read or heard their share of stories about a young player making his National Hockey League debut, probably enough to think that it’s not a big deal.

Indeed, in the grand scheme of things, a player making his NHL debut pales in comparison to many of the stories we see, read and hear in the news. But make no mistake…it still is a big deal, no question about it.

To be sure, when you consider the fact that a minuscule number of young players from all over the world ever get close to making it to the NHL, it is a blessed event when one does, a cause for celebration, something that young Los Angeles Kings forward Linden Vey was doing, albeit in rather subdued fashion, after making his NHL debut in a 2-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres on November 7 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Kings right wing Jeff Carter will be out of action for awhile due to what is believed
to be a foot or ankle injury.
(click above to view larger image)
Photo: David Sheehan/FrozenRoyalty.net

LOS ANGELES AND EL SEGUNDO, CA — As reported in this space on October 24, the Los Angeles Kings’ game is built around establishing a strong, relentless, smothering forecheck.

The only problem is that through 14 games this season, their forecheck has not always been there.

“The biggest part of our game is the forecheck, and it hasn’t been there every night,” winger and captain Dustin Browntold Frozen Royalty on October 23. “It’s been really inconsistent. When we’re really good, and hard to play against, it’s because our forecheck is really good.”

One week after Brown made that remark, his team put in their best effort of the season, despite glaring blunders on two goals against, to beat the National Hockey League’s best team to date, the San Jose Sharks, 4-3, in overtime, at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

One of those players is 22-year-old, 6-0, 200-pound forward Linden Vey, who was selected by the Kings in the fourth round (96th overall) of the 2009 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

Vey, now in his third season with the Kings’ primary minor league affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League, was drafted as a right wing, but has played at center since last season, when his line, which included Kings prospects Tyler Toffoli on right wing, and Tanner Pearson on the left side, lit up the AHL.

LOS ANGELES — Just as the Los Angeles Kings were closing up shop on their 2013 Training Camp, and as the 2013-14 season was about to get underway, they acquired a new, young left wing prospect—a power forward with a scoring touch.

That player just might have a chance to become a top six forward for the Kings somewhere down the road. But the best part is that they did not have to give up anything to get him.

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